Are PWAs Still the Future of Web Development in 2026?

I've been looking at how Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are evolving and one question keeps coming up:

Do PWAs actually make more sense than building separate native apps?

For indie hackers and startups, the appeal is pretty clear:

• One codebase across multiple platforms
• No mandatory app-store installation
• Fast loading and responsive experiences
• Offline capabilities
• Push notifications and app-like interactions
• Easier updates and maintenance
• Potentially lower development costs

But PWAs aren't a universal replacement for native apps. Things like advanced device capabilities, browser limitations, platform-specific requirements, and certain performance-intensive use cases can still make native development the better choice.

What I find particularly interesting is where PWAs are heading next.

AI-powered personalization, better offline functionality, improved background synchronization, richer API access, stronger security, and technologies such as WebXR could make PWAs significantly more capable.

I put together a detailed breakdown covering the evolution of PWAs, their advantages and limitations, real-world examples, and the trends that could shape their future.

👉 Full article: https://www.psdtohtmlninja.com/blog/future-of-progressive-web-apps

I'm curious what other indie hackers think:

If you were launching a new product today, would you choose a PWA, native app, or both—and why?